Paralegal Studies Program
How to Select the Best One Near Los Altos California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Los Altos CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to secure your success, it’s important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many options? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and belong to a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Los Altos CA lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers are able to take on a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Los Altos CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying agencies in the field are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Schools
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more prevalent and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Los Altos CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can start the process of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Los Altos CA area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other critical aspects to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you should be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Los Altos CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call a few Los Altos CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start developing contacts within the Los Altos CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Since laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you want to practice after graduation. In addition, it will be necessary to develop relationships in the local legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those schools that are within the Los Altos CA area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help reduce some of the expense, so be sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is offered in Los Altos CA. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, some of these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Los Altos CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the program you choose offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Los Altos
Enroll in the Best Los Altos Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal studies training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Los Altos residence. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Los Altos California.